Arsenal can go ahead of Manchester United into fifth place in the Premier League with a win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park tonight.
The Gunners will be looking to build on the 3-0 win over West Ham last week, and here are the official line-ups.
Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Ward, Kelly, Sakho, Schlupp, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Puncheon, Zaha, Townsend, Benteke
Subs: Speroni, Delaney, Fryers, Flamini, McArthur, Skao, KaiKai
Arsenal: Martinez, Bellerin, Mustafi, Gabriel, Monreal, Xhaka, Elneny, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott, Welbeck
Subs: Macey, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud
Giroud on the bench yet again.
I had thought Giroud mght get the start today, but I can see the advantage of Welbeck’s pace. Palace’s defence is pretty slow.
Given we’re clearly a better side with a mobile front line then I’m not really sure what else you were expecting.
At the moment Giroud is a much better goal-scorer than Welbeck.
Lets hope we can go on a winning run, COYG!
Excellent. Pleased to see Elneny stay in the side, Ive felt Wenger has a tendency to ignore good performances and bring back his star pupils too soon.
Looking forward to seeing the midfield partnership between Elneny and Xhaka.
3-0 to Arsenal!
COYG!
Nacho/Hector will need help with keeping Zaha quiet initially. Sam will target balls into corners – and to get corners!
Cabaye, Zaha, Benteke… I don’t like this one bit!
I agreed with the commentary from Blogs on Friday’s Arsecast – that I have no concerns seeing Martinez in goal. Let’s get another good game under your belt Emi and make a claim for being #1.
Also, delighted to see Elneny back in the middle. Let’s play with confidence and take the three points without any struggle.
Would have preferred Lucas over welbeck. Regardless I hope Dat guy pulls out a sharp performance. Up the gunners!
we should have forced an injured player to play to appease you smh
What has happened to Lucas is he injured? Not a good start going a goal down!!!
I’m not even angry anymore. It’s just become predictably boring.
Also why does the live blog always become inaccessible when we start losing? I can’t get into it for the updates, almost like blogs has gone into complete meltdown along with the computer!!!
Half time and we are down a goal.
Not surprised. As I mentioned, our midfield issues have not been anywhere resolved with Elneny.
We are passing side to side and Palace played around him for the goal.
Nor has Bellerin covered himself in glory. Mustafi is being drawn wide to cover because Walcott isn’t coming back quick enough.
Put Ox on.
And Giroud. Welbeck as I mentioned isn’t doing enough. The ball is neither sticking to him or Walcott.
Very poor but expected.
Wonder what Theo says when he gets home and his wife asks.” How aaa the game?? Did you play well? ” reckon he can look her in the eye???
It doesn’t even get me angry anymore. It’s just sad, predictable and boring.
We appear to be shit again
Haha! Joke. As is a new 2 year contract being offered to the manger causing all of this.
I wonder if the players are playing for Wenger, as in he wants out and they are making it easy for him!!! How else do you explain this shambles?
It seems really clear you simply cannot keep these players and Wenger together anymore b/c the players no longer are turning up for him. That probably means Wenger resigns them all except Sanchez and stays.
Has Blogs given up? I don’t fucking blame him if he has.
Ramsey isn’t the answer either.
We have had issues in midfield all season.
Having watched the first half, it is clear the real problem is that Arsenal’s midfield just does not work. It does not connect defence and the attack and passes are too slow and predictable.
I think it is time for Wenger to give someone else a go. This is sad but that is the only conclusion.
Really looking forward to the excuses after this one. Bet they’re incredibly original.
Over complicating things.
No midfield penetration from the middle. PLayers like Elneny and Ramsey can only pass and move. We lack that player who can carry the ball with his feet through a bit of traffic in the middle. Therefore the ball goes side to side.
You have Giroud up top, we need to be putting crosses in.
Oh well, they’re putting Flamini on. Maybe he can give us a hand.
Manager got the line up wrong again.
We don’t look like a team with appetite.
Why Alexis doesn’t get the captain’s armband is beyond me.
Its all pear shape.
Jesus Christ what a melt down. Put simply dressing room lost, all the team in the last two away games just haven’t bothered turning up. No energy or effort, shambolic defence, etc, etc, etc
The team look gone.
Sad thing is Palace didn’t even have to work that hard for this. Absolute fucking joke of a performance
Personally I think Iwobi is a possibility in midfield but he is inexperienced and could be a risk.
But he has the strength, technical skills and eye for the through ball.
The way the current options are – Elneny, Coquelin or Ramsey, may as well take a risk and try him.
We simply lack the extra zip and strength in midfield.
there is only one arsene wenger but then again there’s one arsenal too.. you decide ?>
Pants…absolute pants